the Design Museum — Attraction in London

Visited from Lebanon this amazing exhibition…

Tim Burton is the visionary mind behind some of the most iconic films of the past four decades, internationally recognized for his signature blend of the comically grotesque and the endearingly misfit. His cinematic masterpieces—including Big Fish, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Batman—have left an indelible mark on popular culture, showcasing his unique storytelling and aesthetic.

Now running at the Design Museum in the UK, this major exhibition invites visitors into Burton’s world, exploring the design and evolution of his distinctive visual style. While best known for his films, the exhibition highlights the breadth of his creative output as an illustrator, painter, photographer, and author. It also delves into key collaborations with designers, emphasizing his ability to transcend mediums and formats.

Drawn from Burton’s personal archive, the collection spans his entire career—from early childhood sketches to present-day works. Featuring drawings, paintings, photographs, sketchbooks, moving images, sculptural installations, and set and costume designs, the exhibition reveals the recurring motifs and characters that define his artistic universe.

As the final stop in a decade-long world tour, this will be the exhibition’s only showing in the UK, offering a rare and immersive glimpse into the mind of one of cinema’s most imaginative creators.

On the other hand , Located in Kensington, the Design Museum London is a must-visit for design enthusiasts. Housed in the beautifully redesigned Commonwealth Institute building, its striking architecture enhances the visitor experience.

The permanent Designer Maker User exhibition offers an engaging look at design’s impact on daily life, while rotating exhibitions showcase cutting-edge innovation across architecture, fashion, and technology. Interactive displays make the museum accessible to all, and the well-curated gift shop and café add to the experience.

More than just a museum, it’s a hub of creativity and inspiration—well worth a visit.

Personally , I had a blast visiting the museum and enjoying every bit of the products on display!

Not...

Uyy where do I start… well for starters it’s the worst designed museum I have ever visited. Think cute bright library/work space but without books. It’s a fancy pine and soft glow hotel lobby that you can’t afford to breathe in. It’s an open maze with no sense of direction except you are continuously aware that you are aggressively going the wrong way. It’s a dream you had of a familiar place but you can’t quite pin point why it’s all wrong and uncomfortable and strange with no deep subsistence. The layers of the space are open and airy, so open in fact that the narrow, unnavigable, corridor- like balconies that line it have barely anything on show. The display mostly consists of two dimensional exhibits with little to no explanation or detail, and no real relevance or connection to the rest of the exhibition, and vague reference to design.

I truly fail to understand how a new(ish) museum could be curated today with NO reference to the design and innovation of POC and LGBTQIA+ people. It’s bewildering that it wasn’t even considered.

In all honesty, this museum is as if a class of GCSE art and design students got to exhibit their coursework in a posh hotel; that, or if a 40 year old white dude that had never had any obstacles in his life suddenly won the lottery and decided to explore curation with no knowledge of design theory or even curiosity about what makes good design good….

Anyway, go if you fancy wasting a tube fare you could instead spend on going to the big Sainsbury’s to ask the guy at the bakery counter what he can tell you about neuroscience. You will gain just as accurate knowledge but maybe also a friend too.

Ps. I have so many ideas on how to improve the museum, it’s got so much potential, let’s design it to be exciting and educational...

I visited the design museum as part of a school group, so my experience will be different to that or a regular visit, and I am also a Design Technology teacher, so I have a particular passion for this area of culture. Firstly, the building itself is stunning. From every angle there is something interesting to look at. The interior is cavernous and very fitting for the contents. It has a very minimal, clean and clinical feel, almost bordering insipid. The exhibits are well presented and the information besides each piece isn't overwhelming, yet informative enough to convey the meaning. The Designer, Maker, User exhibit was really interesting and engaging for the group of forty 12/13 year olds. Parts are interactive, with chairs to sit on, books to read and puzzles to complete. Whilst there, our group had access to a common room to store our bags and to sit down between workshops/exhibits. The workshops were well organised and engaging with designing and hands on activities. On the journey home, comments from students were a mix of "it was really fun" and "it was much better than I expected", so high praise from a teenager!! I have only removed a star because of the cafe... very minimal selection, fresh food is exposed and there were many flies around. The staff were lacking in customer service skills and the quality of the food wasn't great... very much form over function! I would recommend highly... its the first time I have been and I will definitely be going back to see the Barbie exhibition, which sadly we couldn't fit into...